Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD)
BUILD is a broad-based, non-partisan, interfaith, multiracial community power organization dedicated to making Baltimore a better place for all to live and thrive. Rooted in Baltimore’s neighborhoods and congregations, BUILD builds relationships that help to heal our city. For more than 35 years, BUILD has worked to improve housing, increase job opportunities, and rebuild schools and neighborhoods, among other issues.
Contact: Cristina Paglinauan
Boots for Baltimore
Staffed by Redeemer volunteers, the BOOTS program solicits funds from private individuals, foundations, corporations and the church community for the purchase of sturdy boots that are then distributed through a network of 30 agencies serving the homeless, the jobless and the working poor during the Christmas holiday season.
Opportunities to serve: Individuals are needed who are willing to solicit their personal and corporate contacts on behalf of the BOOTS program; individuals with computer expertise willing to help with the annual update of lists are also needed. Other committee duties: administration, publicity, agency liaison, computer records, mailings and distribution. The committee meets, as needed, on a year-round basis.
Contact: Debbie Codd, Lucy Sarris
Caring for Creation (C4C)
Redeemer is committed to continuing to be better stewards of our environment, as part of what it means to put our faith into action. Led by our Caring for Creation Committee and in partnership with Blue Water Baltimore and the Baltimore Orchard Project, a rain garden was installed on our day school playground last year, and a couple of fruit trees have been planted and are growing on our grounds. Our church also uses a geothermal system that became fully operational in 2012.
Opportunities to serve: People committed to caring for our environment are needed to serve on our C4C Committee and to support its ongoing work, projects and leadership of our parish in this area.
Contact: Laurel Peltier
Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO)/CARES
GEDCO, of which Redeemer is a member, is a nonprofit, community and church-based developer and operator of affordable, service-linked housing and social service programs. CARES, 401 Woodbourne Ave., is a network of local churches and social service groups that have pooled their resources to serve the critical needs of local residents. Services include a food pantry, pharmacy vouchers, and financial assistance, along with job search skills and job placement.
Opportunities to serve: Volunteers are needed to help stock shelves on Wednesdays, to help escort clients through the pantry, to interview clients and to administer financial aid.
Contact: Laurel Peltier
Govans Elementary School
Govans Elementary is a public charter school, operated by the Baltimore Curriculum Project, and participating school in Baltimore’s 21st Century School Program. About 2 miles from Redeemer, Govans Elementary serves the children and families of the Govans neighborhood and has partnered with Redeemer since November 2011 to support its students and families in a variety of ways. About 90% of its students qualify for free breakfast and lunch.
Opportunities to serve: Tutors, classroom aides, mentors, and support for after-school programming are needed throughout the school year. In addition, volunteers are needed to coordinate our winter coat drive and to support our fall school supply coordinator. Other volunteer opportunities include occasional painting of classrooms and support for special events.
Contact: Cristina Paglinauan
Grants Committee
Each year the Church of the Redeemer invites community nonprofit agencies in the city of Baltimore who are in need of financial support to apply for a grant. The most significant contributions go to organizations and programs providing life-sustaining services – food, fuel, shelter, jobs and education. The committee reviews requests, evaluates through site visits when possible, and funds grants based on the following priorities: support of life-sustaining services; focus on the needs of the Baltimore community; connection with Redeemer or The Episcopal Church; and direct involvement by members of the parish.
If you are interested in applying for a grant, please use our Online Form.
Opportunities to serve: Volunteers are needed to assist with the grant process by reviewing requests for funds and making site visits with other committee members.
Contact: Margaret Daley
Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fishes is an interdenominational group founded by St Ignatius Parish in Baltimore city. Volunteers operate a special van which regularly delivers food to the homeless at specific designated drop off points. Area churches rotate the responsibility for food preparation one weekend each month in the winter from November through March. Redeemer parishioners make seven gallons of soup, seminarians at St Mary’s provide the coffee, and students from Friends School prepare the sandwiches for 250 people.
Opportunities to serve: Volunteers are needed to help prepare soup for 250 for one of the Redeemer Saturdays. Participants are also needed to help distribute the food on one of the Saturday nights.
Contact: Lynn Plack 410-340-2939
Paul’s Place
Opened in 1982 and located on Ward Street in Washington Village, Paul’s Place provides twenty-two different programs for the community in the 21230 and 21223 zip codes through their dedicated staff of case workers, outreach workers and volunteers. Redeemer volunteers have been involved with Paul’s Place since it opened. Every month volunteers cook and serve a hot meal to residents of Washington Village and the homeless. In addition they sort clothing and help in the store. Each week a volunteer picks up groceries donated by Graul’s market and delivers them to the kitchen at Paul’s Place. In the summer, volunteers organize a camp for school age children from Washington Village. Then each year during Advent, a Giving Tree is decorated with gift ideas for the children of Washington Village. Redeemer parishioners bring in wrapped gifts which are taken to Paul’s Place for joyful distribution.
Opportunities to serve: Volunteers are needed to help cook and serve meals once a month; assist at our one-week summer camp; assist at the Holiday Shop; and to drop-off clothing.
Contact: Patty McLean (Holy Casserole), Cristina Paglinauan (other)
Recovery Ministries
Redeemer hosts a number of 12-step support groups for individuals struggling with various mental, substance-use and behavior disorders, as well as their family and friends. For a complete list of meetings regularly held at Redeemer please visit our Recovery page
Contact: Cristina Paglinauan